Chris Smith headed past the angle in stoppage time and Farman saved from Rodman before Tamworth took the lead after 55 minutes.

Shaw's flag Kick was was flicked on by Rodman for Christie to force the ball over the line with a header from inside the six yard box before Heckingbottom could clear.

Gateshead claimed, unsuccessfully, that the ball had not crossed the line and it proved to be the matchwinner.

It was a body blow and the Tynesiders received another when Curtis was booked for a foul on Rodman - his 10th yellow card of the season.

The dependable defender will now be suspended for the away games at Histon and Rushden & Diamonds .

Bogie threw on the fit again Wayne Phillips for Andy Parkinson and Francis for Craig Baxter in an unsuccessful bid to save the game.

Former Newcastle trainee Francis immediately put a right foot shot from inside the Lambs area wide of the post.

Farman denied Rodman at the other end but Gateshead almost fell further behind with ten minutes left when Sebastian Lake-Gaskin struck the post from close in.

Late Gateshead pressure came to nothing - the only consolation being that none of their rivals in distress managed to pick up three points on the night - Eastbourne Borough crashing 0-6 at home to Stevenage Borough.

"I thought we thoroughly deserved the win," said Tamworth boss Gary Mills, "it's exactly what was needed after a couple of bad weeks with a display from the team that we know they can produce."